What is MuralNebraska?
MuralNebraska is a living, community-driven resource designed to encourage the discovery of the state’s wonderful and rapidly growing mural collection. From Auburn to Chadron, Imperial to South Sioux City, Nebraskans are beautifying their hometowns with murals that do more than just change the look of a street—they represent unique, local stories.
This platform is powered entirely by the people. Every piece of art on the map is submitted by users, locals, or the artists themselves. At its core, MuralNebraska is an asset-based community development tool that highlights these existing local assets. It celebrates the public art, the talented creators behind the work, the stories of the community represented by the murals, and the grassroots history of how these pieces were envisioned and commissioned. By elevating this art, we aim to foster inclusivity and strengthen the sense of belonging across the state.
While we encourage you to browse the digital Mural Map, its true purpose is to inspire you to seek adventure with family and friends. We want you to use this tool as a catalyst to get out and explore Nebraska’s incredible collection of hometowns, which are filled with people who are fiercely proud to live there.
Ultimately, a new piece of public art is a powerful indicator—a sign that a community continues to evolve and that the people within it are thriving together.
Why Murals?
Nebraskans have recently sparked a renaissance of public art, primarily through vibrant new murals taking shape across the state. A mural is so much more than just paint on a wall—it is a visual narrative. A community’s first mural often serves as a reflection of its unique identity and history, while subsequent pieces frequently depict its deepest dreams and aspirations. Many murals, of course are simply just fun expressions of creativity!
These colorful canvases are increasingly becoming focal points for gathering, inviting people to connect and share their experiences. Importantly, this initial splash of art often acts as a catalyst for even more community engagement—inspiring additional murals and sculptures, collaborative projects, and the establishment of full Creative Districts certified by the Nebraska Arts Council. These murals strengthen the social fabric of our towns and stand as lasting monuments of shared community pride.
The Mural Hunt: Join the Adventure
MuralNebraska isn’t just a directory; it is an interactive journey. To encourage folks to get off the interstate and explore the heart of our communities, we’ve gamified the discovery process. As you travel the state, document public art, and interact with the platform, you earn Exploration Points and climb the ranks of Nebraska explorers.
How to Earn Exploration Points:
- Discover a New Mural (100 Points): Be the first to find, photograph, and submit a new mural to the map.
- Check-In (25 Points): Visit a piece of art already on the map, verify its location, and leave your name on its digital logbook.
- Share the Story (10 Points): Leave a comment adding rich local context, history, or artist details to an existing entry.
- Digital Exploration (2 Points): Log in daily to browse the map, learn about different communities, and plan your next road trip.
The Explorer Ranks: Everyone starts their journey as a Gravel Road Rookie. But as you gather Exploration Points and visit more towns, your status will automatically level up:
- Gravel Road Rookie
- Frontier Scout (250 Points)
- Day Tripper (500 Points)
- Highway Nomad (2,000 Points)
- Backroad Legend (5,000 Points)
Every point earned is a testament to your role in documenting Nebraska’s evolving social fabric. It shows that you are actively engaging with the grassroots art that makes our hometowns unique. Grab your friends, hit the road, and start exploring!